Tuesday, December 26, 2017

I wasn't really planning on posting this week, but sales started popping up and I started shopping. I'm actually not really into after-Christmas shopping because by then, I'm all shopped-out (and my wallet is empty, haha!). However, this year I had a few returns and also got a few gift cards, so I decided to check out all of the sales. Has anyone else shopped the sales yet? I feel like this year they are better than in years past!

I'm also a big fan of scoring Christmas decor now. It's allllll on sale so you can get a lot of what you want for way less than you would if you wait until next November/December! My parents have always done this and I love this way to shop.

And lastly, my gift drawer has been depleting over the holidays (after all, that's what it is for), so as you browse, keep in mind gifting to others... I stock up on a lot right now just because everything is on major sale and you'll be all set for eary 2018 gifting (think little items for Valentine's Day, Easter baskets, etc.)! I really love these leather gloves- the price is unreal!

For The Home

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There is so much on sale for the home! I think Williams-Sonoma's sale takes the cake, though. They have such beautiful, high-quality items that can be very pricey. However, a lot of AERIN items as well as some gorgeous blue and white pieces are on sale! Horchow is another favorite and is offering up to 50% off. It's my go-to for fancy linens like Matouk and Sferraand cashmere throws.

Clothing

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Friday, December 22, 2017

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This is my last blog post before Christmas and it might be one of the most exciting posts I have ever shared.

Friends, meet Henry McCallister Carver!!!! He is a 2-year-old Australian Cattle dog. He is very tiny for his breed. He only weighs 23 pounds (it's hard to even tell how tiny he is in photos). Henry is named because I just loved the name (and he looks like a Henry) and McCallister is his middle name because that is Mac's full name. I know middle names aren't really a thing with pets, but I wanted to pay tribute to Mac and also so he could have a monogram!

He is the absolute sweetest dog I have ever met and I can't believe I get to call him mine. I got so lucky with his loving and calm demeanor. I'm already biased, but he is so ridiculously well behaved, I keep wondering how I got this lucky. He fills me with so much joy!!

I started looking for dogs back in September. I wanted to rescue an Australian Cattle dog that was older than a puppy and preferably a male. Surprisingly, it was difficult to find dogs that checked off all of my boxes. I am such a sucker for all dogs so I wanted to make sure I really stuck to my guns and didn't rush anything.

Sweet Mac

My parents have Mac, the best dog in the entire world that I love so much. Mac is now 15 years old and when I moved from my parent's home to downtown, leaving Mac broke my heart. Mac is an Australian Cattle dog, so having grown up with him for most of my life, I'm very familiar with the breed. I know no dog can ever replace Mac, but I just love the breed and wanted one for myself.

I have always wanted my own dog, but I wanted to make sure I had the time and patience to really take care of a dog. It's a huge responsibility and certainly not one I take lightly. I wanted to be sure I was as prepared as I was ever going to be, and this fall I felt it was time.

I found Henry totally on a whim...I had been searching for months, and one night I did a Google search. Henry popped up on a pet site and I freaked out. He was exactly what I wanted.... and SO cute.

Even better? I rescued Henry from Tracy's Dogs which is a non-profit rescue based out of San Antonio, Texas. Adopting pets is something I am very passionate about. We rescued Mac when I was a freshman in high school from a shelter here in Pittsburgh and the impact he has had on my life is profound and I am sure he feels the same.

If I could adopt all the dogs, I would. Tracy's Dogs has placed nearly 4,000 dogs with forever homes. A lot of the dogs that Tracy's Dogs save are on euthanization lists, so they truly do save the dog's life. Watching some of the YouTube videos absolutely breaks my heart. If you are looking for a dog, it's worth checking out their adoptable dogs on their website. The process was rigorous in terms of applying... I really appreciated the strict and well-organized process. I could tell they were really vetting everyone that wanted to adopt the dog to make sure that the dog would be going to the best home possible. They have many volunteers and the two who I worked with to adopt Henry were so wonderful. I cannot say enough good words about the organization. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions because I'd love to sing their praises!

Keeping this off of social media for the past two weeks has about killed me! I just want to show him off and share his cuteness with everyone, haha! But, I also wanted to enjoy my time with him and get to know him before I shared him with the rest of the world.

To say this is the best Christmas ever is an understatement. I can't wait to share Henry in blog posts to come. I'll try not to be annoying with posting him, but I can't promise anything ;).

Thursday, December 21, 2017

I have so much to talk about in today's post! Between my fun trip to Martha's Vineyard for a wedding and this busy holiday week, I don't even know where to start!

My trip to Martha's Vineyard was so much fun. The bride and groom are from Boston and their family has a house on MV so it's a really special place for them and their family. I loved seeing the Vineyard with a fresh blanket of snow and charming Christmas decorations!

For the wedding, I ended up wearing this gorgeous black gown. Which was really a gamble. I saw it online and I thought it could be really classic and gorgeous or it could be cheap looking and a bit scandalous. But sure enough, it was just what I thought: a classic stunning black gown. It's something I'll be glad to have in my closet and I'll be able to re-wear on many different occasions. I listened to the reviews and it does run a bit small. I'm wearing a size 4 and would have typically ordered a size 2 in this type of gown.

It's the last lately before Christmas. Can you even believe it?! This week I have been so insanely busy with family things and holiday parties/etc. Last night I saw The Grinch at Heinz Hall and it was phenomenal!

Today, I am headed to the Nordstrom Cafe with my parents, Grammie, and Aunt Lindey and Uncle Fitz. It's a tradition we started long ago and now we always meet at the Nordstrom Cafe for lunch right before Christmas! I love this tradition and wouldn't miss it! I'm sad Callie will have to miss out but she will be home tomorrow night and I cannot wait!

Tomorrow, we are going to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra with my family and family friends. This is another tradition that we do every year that they come to Pittsburgh. I haven't been in a few years, though, so I'm very excited! Afterward, we'll all get dinner together, too!

Tomorrow my 'big surprise' is going to be revealed so definitely check back. I actually can't believe I've kept it quiet for this long because I want to share it with EVERYONE because I am so excited!!!

Posts will be slow from here through the new year. I am not putting any pressure or stress on myself to follow my typical posting schedule nor am I going to put pressure on myself to post to Instastories and Instagram/etc. I want to be in the moment during the holidays and make sure to spend as much time as possible with my family and I hope you can all understand! Check back from time to time as I may upload some content as I'm inspired or have a little extra time on my hands, but I won't be back in full-force until 2018!

Pittsburgh-ing: There's a game on Christmas day! Last year there was one, also. It's kind of funny to be sitting at the dinner table on Christmas watching TV and erupting in cheers and shouts, but I kind

Traveling: I'm headed to Arizona next Friday for New Year's Eve. I have never been, so I am very excited!

Quoting: 'And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.' Luke 2:10

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

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There was a time when I was a last minute gift shopper. As I've gotten older, I've gotten much better at this, but I know a lot of friends and family who are in the mad dash for gifts right now!

Luckily, a lot of retailers are offering free expedited shipping (you can still order from Nordstrom for free standard shipping in time for Christmas!), but Amazon Prime is also a really good option.

I'd have a much fatter wallet if Amazon Prime didn't exist. You can pretty much buy anything and everything and it's just too easy! My only issue with shopping for gifts on Amazon is that there is just so much, it's hard to shop unless you know what you are looking for.

So, I'm rounding up some great items that are available for shipping in time for Christmas that would make great gifts or stocking stuffers!

Kitchen Scissors// This is an inexpensive gift that would be great to give to someone who loves to be in the kitchen. It would also make for a great stocking stuffer, too. I have these exact scissors and they are amazing. They're so sharp and dishwasher safe, too!

Hand Cream// One of the best hand creams out there and this is a cute mini size perfect for stashing away in a handbag or at your bedside!

Baume de Rose// This is a pricey gift and is perfect for the makeup/skincare junky. It's the 'it' lip balm to have.

Bioderma Micellar Water// This is my favorite micellar water ever and I use it daily. It's great for my skin but also really gets rid of any trace of makeup or dirt/oil.

Amazon Echo// It's only $80 right now! I asked for this for Christmas. Just like the hairbrush, this is a great gift for absolutely anyone!

Laguiloe Steak Knives// I have these and love them. They are absolutely beautiful steak knives and cut very nicely. They come packaged beautifully, too!

Books// I'd say any book on the best seller list is a 'safe' choice, but bonus points if you get one they have really been wanting to read!

Copper Coffee Canister// I have been looking for a new canister for my coffee and this one is just too cute! Great for the coffee addict in your life and bonus points if you give the canister with a pound of coffee!

Champagne Stopper// I was gifted this in my stocking one year and it's the best! It really does work and can prolong an open bottle of bubbly for at least another day!

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Since I know not everyone is an Amazon Prime member, I've also rounded up a bunch of other items on other sites that are still available for Christmas delivery at no extra cost (if there is anything I hate more, it's paying for shipping!). Scroll through the widget above to see my favorites!

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

I'm not the world's best cook. In the past few years, I've learned a bit and gotten way better, but it is still not something I really enjoy. However, it was necessary I learn how to cook so I could make myself dinners other than ramen and stop Postmate-ing every single night.

When I have people over, I cook easy things like salmon and when I go to someone's house, I bring a beautiful cheese platter or store-bought dessert. I'm so not a baker in any way shape or form and find no joy in baking. My sister and I are such opposites because she loves to cook and bake and always comes up with the most interesting and delicious dishes.

Today I wanted to share a dessert for those of you who may be a bit more like me in the cooking/baking department. Since the holiday season is upon us and you are bound to have guests or possibly even have surprise guests, it's nice to have some items in your pantry that you have on hand and can whip up at a moment's notice.

This recipe for cherry crunch is a special one because my grammie has been making it since I can remember. It's a dessert I grew up on and it is SO delicious.

I just recently started making it myself because it's truly the easiest recipe. I also love that all of the ingredients are things you can store in your pantry and don't go bad quickly. So you can really have these items tucked away for that crazy moment.

Here's what you need:

- 1 box yellow cake mix (I just grab whatever brand is on sale)

- 1 stick of butter

- 1-2 cans of cans of cherry pie filling

- Vanilla Ice Cream

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375.

2. Mix the cake mix and softened butter in a bowl until it's 'lumpy'.

3. Pour the cans of cherry pie filling in a clear glass baking dish (I use a 9-inch square or a 2 qt. pyrex baking dish). The reason I say 1-2 cans is that if you use anything different than a 9-inch square, I suggest using 2 cans of filling.

4. Cover the cherry pie filling evenly with the cake and butter mix.

5. Bake for 40 minutes until the top is golden brown.

6. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

See? So easy. I haven't tried this yet, but my aunt told me that it's amazing to do this same thing with spice cake mix and apple pie filling. I'm going to try that next and I'll report back!

This top has the sweetest understated peplum hem and looks much more luxe and pricey than just $55! If leather leggings aren't for you, I think it would look equally great with black velvet pants. The leggings run a bit big. I'm wearing a size small, but they're roomy in the waist and hips and somewhat in the ankles. I wouldn't size down, but they're not as fitted as 'leggings' tend to be.

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Scroll through the widget above to see some other great inexpensive tops that would pair nicely with these pants for a luxe casual holiday outfit!

I wore this to cocktails with some girlfriends one weeknight in December. We all hadn't seen each other in a while so it was great to have a girl's night out! Just before that, I had been working on my holiday cards. I decided to send out over 100 cards to readers since I got so many address submissions! I love that you are all so enthusiastic about it and your sweet e-mails about my cards have brought me so much joy! While I can't send them out to absolutely everyone (wish I could), I'm going to try and send as many as possible.

I'm doing them in small batches, so if you haven't gotten yours, it could still be coming! I'll be sending them out through 12/31! I used to do them all in one night and it took me hours and killed my hand (I always write a handwritten message on every single one... I think that's so important). This year, doing them in batches has saved my sanity!

If you are a last-minute shopper, you can still shop online at Nordstrom and your items will arrive by Christmas Eve. It's getting down to the wire, though, so shop now!!!! Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post, as always all opinions are my own.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Happy Saturday, everyone! Today my BEST FRIEND IS GETTING MARRIED! I can't believe the day is here and I'm so excited! While we got off to a rocky start getting here due to an issue with Delta and then tons of weather delays, I am so happy to be in Martha's Vineyard. It's so beautiful with all of the Christmas decorations throughout town!

I thought it'd be funny to share this photo I snapped out the window of the airport in Pittsburgh Thursday morning as we were waiting for a flight. It was so incredibly snowy, I couldn't get over it! I felt like we were in Siberia rather than Pittsburgh. It's nice to have snow right before Christmas- I hope it stays for the actual holiday!

This week, our Christmas pajamas arrived. They are amazing and I totally recommend them. They are currently 40% off with code TIME2GIVE through 12/19. As of writing this they are fully in stock in all sizes! They're cotton- not flannel, so be aware. They're warm, but they're not nearly as warm as flannel. That's totally fine with me as I typically get hot when I sleep, but if you're always cold, these might not be the best for you!

This week I also prepped for a big life change/exciting thing that's happening as soon as I get back from Martha's Vineyard. I am so beyond excited and I cannot wait to share this big news with all of you! It's the biggest and best Christmas gift I could have ever asked for!!

This week I didn't do too much browsing. I'm done with my shopping and everything is wrapped. It feels so good to be done and I hope to be able to enjoy this week leading up to the holiday. I haven't gotten a New Year's dress yet for New Year's in Arizona, so that is what I have been on the hunt for this week!

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Scroll through the widget above to see some of my favorites. I'm most excited about two sweaters that I ordered. I have this sweater in another color already but fell in love with the ivory version this year. It's a very pricey sweater and super high quality so I'm excited to have it in another color but on major sale! I wear this sweater at least once a week and it doubles as a topper over pajamas, too. I also got this navy blue and white striped cashmere sweater and I cannot wait for it to arrive!

Friday, December 15, 2017

Bow (sold out, similar... I love that it looks like a Manolo Blahnik Hangisi Pump (there is a headband version, too))

Last week, as I was getting ready for a Christmas party, I decided that I would film an instastory series of me curling my hair. It was totally on the spur of the moment and very homemade. Just me in my bathroom in a t-shirt curling away!

I got a ton of great feedback after doing that... I have never received so many DM's! I'm so glad you all enjoyed watching and got a better idea of how I curl my hair. My hair is the most asked about topic, so it's my goal in 2018 to bring you all more hair content!

To start off my hair series, I'm sharing all of the products I shared in my instastory and a few more that I wanted to highlight. I'm getting the most questions about these products so I will link to them and then share with you how I use the product and why I like it. Please note this is not sponsored in any way and is just my general feedback about each product (although even if it was sponsored, as always, it would be 100% my honest opinion). I am constantly sent hair products and tools in PR packages and I am so lucky to be able to try out so many different products. However, I rarely love anything I'm sent. I'm very loyal to certain hair brands, so I'm sharing them with you today!

Curling Iron// This has been my go-to for years and years. It's just $14 and literally the best $14 you could ever spend. I sometimes buy a few at a time just in case they stop making them! They last for a good 2+ years but I find that they get less hot as time goes on. I typically replace every year or so! You can also use this curling iron in Europe, no problem!

My curling iron tip is to choose the size based on the length of your hair. If you have shorter hair, you're going to need a smaller circumference. The bigger the iron, the wavier your hair will be as opposed to actual curls.

Blow Dryer// This is definitely the best dryer I've ever used. It's super lightweight and really dries my hair quickly. As much as I'd love to try the Dyson everyone is raving about, I don't have a crazy desire to try it because I find this dryer to do an incredible job. I have super thick hair so cutting down on drying time is important to me and this really does cut down the time!

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product// I use this every single time I step out of the shower and have been using it for years. I pray it on towel dried, damp hair and it works wonders on frizz and shine. I love the smell, too. They have several different kinds, like ones for blondes, or with keratin, etc. I truly don't think the types make any difference. I have all of them and just buy whatever is the cheapest at the time. I think the only one to note that might be helpful for some of you is their lite version. I think it would be great for those of you who have thinner hair.

Dessange Oleo Oil// This is a very heavy oil that I use after I brush my hair out (after the It's a 10). You only need to use a little bit, it might not be for everyone because it's very strong, but I love how it tames my hair.

Wella Oil Reflections Luminous Smoothing Oil// Wella is a brand I just started using in early fall. Like Aveda, I love almost all of the products in the Wella line, and especially their Oil Reflections line. This is their regular oil, and as soon as my Dessange fully runs out, I'm switching to Wella. Don't get me wrong, Dessange smells pleasant, but I just prefer this scent. They work pretty similarly, though. Just like It's a 10, Wella makes a 'light' version of this which I LOVE using on dry hair.

Wella Thermal Image Heat Protection Spray// My hair really takes a beating between coloring and using heat on it. Because of that, I really like to use a heat protectant spray. This one is definitely the best smelling product out of the entire list. It smells INCREDIBLE and when I use it, people are always asking me what kind of shampoo I use because they love the smell.... but the secret is out, it's this product. I just spray a few sprays on each chunk of hair before I use my curling iron.

Air Control Hairspray// I've long loved Aveda's hairspray. It really holds well with some flexibility and smells wonderful. The only time I really ever wear hairspray is when I am wearing my hair up. I have a ton of flyaways and this helps to tame them. I also love this hairspray which offers less hold, so if I want to spray it while curly, that's what I'll use!

Aveda Smooth Infusion// I only really use this in the summer because it's for frizz due to heat. I put it in my towel dried damp hair and it really does help cut down on frizz in a big way! I think if you live in a warmer climate or have high humidity, this is a product you may want to use year round!

Aveda Damage Remedy// I typically use this when I'm overdue for a haircut. It helps to tame my split ends until I can get to the salon!

Aveda Dry Shampoo + Wella Dry Shampoo// I love both of these. Aveda's works perfectly but is definitely white. The Wella dry shampoo is amazing, too, but what I love most about it is that it doesn't really show up in your hair!

Shop the products:

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Thursday, December 14, 2017

I feel like this week has flown by. I think that's because I'm cutting my week short to head to Martha's Vineyard for a long weekend! I actually woke up on Monday feeling under the weather, so I didn't get as much done as I wanted to, but I revved it up on Tuesday and Wednesday! This past weekend, I went to brunch at one of my Pittsburgh favorites, Dianoia's and then my parents, Grammie and I went to see the Pittsburgh Symphony Holiday POPS concert at Heinz Hall! It was so much fun! If you have an opportunity to go, I definitely suggest it. It's great for all ages. The photo above is the lobby area of Heinz Hall... stunning, right?!

I am joining the board of the Public Relations Society of America Pittsburgh chapter (PRSA) and I'm so excited for a new experience in 2018! I attended their holiday party this week and it was fun to get to meet some of the other board members! I also went home for a little bit this week to hang out with Mac... doesn't he look so cute by the tree?!

Eating: I made salmon appetizers this weekend for a little get together I held at my apartment. This is one of my go-to apps that's filling and looks pretty, too! All you need is a baguette, cream cheese, smoked salmon, and capers. You thinly slice the baguette, add a dollop of cream cheese and top with smoked salmon and capers! No cooking necessary! I was excited I also got to use my new Herend tray!

Sale-ing: Club Monaco is having a sale through January offering an extra 30% off sale styles. This is typically when I purchase CM pieces because you can get really great deals. I suggest shopping ASAP, though, because sizes sell out very quickly!

Watching: All I have been watching is The Crown. I am not even that into the Monarchy, but this show is just so incredibly well done. I urge you to watch!

Listening: My most played songs of 2017 playlist came out on Spotify. I am so excited to share with all of you because I really think it gives you a good look at who I am. It's SO eclectic. One minute you're listening to Kid Cudi, the next minute Van Morrison, and then Hillsong.

Loving: One of my friends told me about the investing app, Acorns and I am hooked. Basically, you set it up so it automatically withdraws from your account each month. You can set it as little as $5 or as much as you want. Then, it also rounds up on every purchase you make on your cards. So for example, if you buy a coffee for $3.75, it will round up to $4 and deposit the quarter into your account. Then, that money gets invested. It's a really easy to way to invest a bit without even noticing it's being taken out of your account.Loving II: I'm a big eye mask fan. It's hard for me to sleep without one. I really hate that it messes with my eyelash extensions, though. However, this eye mask says that it is eyelash extension friendly. Considering me very intrigued.

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Wanting: So many great items that I came across this week!! Scroll through to see them!

Pittsburgh-ing: This past weekend, I got together with a bunch of family friends and my parents and we went to the Miracle Christmas pop-up bar in Market Square. It was SO. MUCH. FUN! It's about as over-the-top and tacky as can be and the drinks are VERY strong, but it just had the most fun atmosphere. I definitely recommend it!

Traveling: Headed to Martha's Vineyard today for a long weekend to celebrate my BFF's Aly and Will! I can't wait! Follow along on Instastories!

Quoting: 'Remember, no man is a failure who has friends!'- It's a Wonderful Life// See more of my favorites, here.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Last Friday evening, I spent a few hours wrapping gifts. The Crown, one of my favorite Netflix shows, had just come out with the second season so I was more than happy to enjoy a cup of hot tea and settle in for the night.

I am pretty on top of things when it comes to the holidays, however, wrapping is something I always procrastinate over. I think it's because I end up making such a mess, haha!

I'm really proud of myself that I've gotten all of my Christmas shopping done and everything is now wrapped. It gives me more time to work and to spend time with family/friends.

In my holiday survey that I shared in late October, I asked what you wanted to see and SO many of you wanted me to share some affordable outfits that you can wear to casual holiday events. Many of you mentioned that you have a casual Christmas or a casual gift exchange with your girlfriends, for example.

We have a very casual Christmas day that usually consists of us lounging in our pajamas until about 1pm. Then we get dressed in something cozy and casual and head over to my aunt and uncle's for our annual prime rib dinner...yum!

This outfit is exactly something I would wear to any casual holiday event. It's super comfortable, but still looks put together and you can change the dressiness depending on whether you opt for heels or flats.

This sweater is something that is recent in my closet. It's just $49 and comes in a ton of colors. I typically spend a good amount on my sweaters. I love a quality sweater, so at this price, I was a bit skeptical. And while this sweater is not cashmere, it's absolutely gorgeous in person. As soon as I tried it on, I went back and ordered the black because it's just such an easy winter basic. I also ended up ordering one for my mom, too. She had been over and I showed her the sweater and she fell in love with it! It would make such a nice holiday gift. It runs true to size and is meant to fit a bit loose.

The leather leggings are something I just stumbled upon while browsing online. One of my favorite things to wear in the winter is weather leggings. I feel like they add a bit of edge and youth to my often classic and conservative outfits. These are the best I have ever found. They have a big thick waistband that sucks you in and they're tight but not insanely tight. I find that they actually run a bit big. They're also very soft and comfortable!

In the photos above, you can see that I'm wrapping these pajamas. This is what my mom, sister, and I ended up on choosing for our Christmas jammies. We will wear these on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning (I gift them to my sister and mom each year)! We all three love to ski and love blue and white stripes, so these were just a no-brainer!

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I wanted to share some of my other favorites from Nordstrom's BP and Halogen lines (like classic cashmere under $70!). They're very affordable and have some great options. I can't believe I found two great pieces already! Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own.